English Grammar

Direct and indirect speech: Reporting verb

Reporting verb is the verb which reports the speech.

• She said, "I am fine." (Reporting verb: said)
• He asked, "Can I have more of that cheese?" (Reporting verb: asked)
• She says, "I am going." (Reporting verb: says)

Said is preferred when there is no object.

• He said that he was fine.

Tell/told is used when you say who is/was being spoken to.

• He told me that he was fine.

We use talk and speak when we are referring to the action of communicating.

• He talked to us.
• She was speaking on the telephone.

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